Der Anaesthesist
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Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is a hereditary disease, which leads to degenerative changes in the spinal cord and cerebellum (incidence 1:50,000). These changes are caused by a defect in the gene that encodes a mitochondrial gene called frataxin and causes muscle weakness, scoliosis, cardiomyopathy and impaired glucose tolerance. ⋯ Due to increased sensitivity to muscle relaxants, peridural anaesthesia with 8 ml 0.75% ropivacaine and 10 microg sufentanil was used in this case. The perioperative neurological consultation revealed no undue exacerbation of symptoms.
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In 2007 a survey on the development of the current practice of using ultrasound to assist central venous catheter (CVC) placement was carried out in 802 departments of anesthesiology and intensive care medicine in hospitals with more than 200 beds in Germany. These data were compared to data from a survey in 2003. Additionally, data regarding control of CVC positioning were collected. ⋯ In Germany placement of central venous catheters is still usually based on anatomical landmarks. However, compared to 2003, ultrasound guidance for CVC placement is gradually being introduced (40% compared to 19%). Given the well-documented advantages of ultrasound guidance compared to landmark based approaches for central venous cannulation, acquisition of this technology should belong to the training programme of an anesthesiologist.
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Fibre optic-assisted tracheal intubation through the laryngeal mask airway is a simple and safe procedure for securing the airway in the paediatric patient with unexpected and known difficult tracheal intubation. Therefore, fibre optic-assisted tracheal intubation through the laryngeal mask airway represents a standard airway technique and must be part of clinical education and also regular training. However, the removal of the laryngeal mask airway over the tracheal tube is impaired by the short length of the tracheal tube, easily resulting in tube dislocation from the trachea. ⋯ This is particularly important for cuffed tubes as the pilot balloon of the cuffed tube is too large to pass through laryngeal mask airway tubes size 2.5 and smaller. This presentation demonstrates fibre optic-assisted tracheal intubation through the laryngeal mask airway in children step-by-step and discusses its clinical implications. A list with compatible sizes of laryngeal mask airways, tracheal tubes and airway exchange catheters is also provided.